VA will restrict benefits if a veteran is imprisoned

Question: What happens to the benefits of a veteran who is imprisoned?

Answer: VA disability compensation and pension benefits are restricted if a veteran, surviving spouse, child or dependent parent is convicted of a felony and imprisoned for more than 60 days. The disability compensation paid to an incarcerated veteran is limited to the 10 percent disability rate. For a surviving spouse, child, dependent parent or veteran whose disability rating is 10 percent, the payment is reduced by one half.

Payments are not reduced for recipients participating in work-release programs, residing in halfway houses or under community control. Overpayments for failure to notify VA of a veteran's incarceration result in the loss of all financial benefits until the overpayment is recovered.

As an additional note, VA disability compensation and pension benefits may not be paid to any veteran named on an outstanding felony warrant, or their dependents, until the veteran has surrendered to authorities or the warrant is cleared.

For more information on how imprisonment can affect VA benefits, contact the VA at (800) 827-1000.

Q: What income is counted for the VA's Means Test and is family size considered?

A: VA considers your previous year's total household income (both earned and unearned income) for you as well as your spouse and dependent children. Earned income is usually wages you receive from working. Unearned income can be interest earned, dividends received, money from retirement funds, Social Security payments, annuities or earnings from other assets.

The number of people in your family will be factored into the calculation to determine the applicable income threshold -- both the VA national income threshold and the income threshold for your geographic region.

If you have questions about your benefits as a veteran, call Fred Ballard at the Veterans Affairs at 433-0049 or visit the VA Web site at www.va.gov/hawaii or the Star-Bulletin at 529-4747.